Tibetan Spaniel - Spiritual Dog Breed from Tibet

Tibetan Spaniel - an ancient breed associated with Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayas, small, intelligent and sensitive.

Tibetan Spaniel (Tibbies), for short - a spiritual dog breed, associated with the development of Buddhist culture in Tibet. With a small, intelligent appearance and lovely expression along with an independent spirit and good guarding instinct, Tibetan Spaniel will be a perfect choice for a great "companion" for every family.

In today's article, let's learn about information related to Tibetan Spaniel dogs from their origin, characteristics, temperament to important notes when raising this dog breed!

Origin of Tibetan Spaniel

Learn about the origin of Tibetan mastiffs.

Tibetan Spaniels (abbreviated as Tibbies), Vietnamese name is Tibetan dog, Tibetan lop-eared dog, originated from ancient Tibet with a history of at least 2500 years.

Although the name of this dog breed has the word "Spaniel", they do not belong to the group of water hunting dogs like the Spaniels in Europe, but this name was given by Westerners because they have an appearance quite similar to the Spaniels.

Originally, Tibetan Spaniels were kept in monasteries to guard the landscape or spin prayer wheels with their snouts. Here, Tibetan Spaniels are considered symbols of good luck and spirituality in Buddhism.

In the late 19th century, Tibetan Spaniels were brought to England and became popular in Europe and North America. In 1983, the Tibetan Spaniel was officially recognized by the AKC as a breed.

Appearance of Tibetan Spaniel

Tibetan Mastiff with short legs and characteristic long, shaggy fur.

According to AKC (American dog breed organization) standards, a purebred Tibetan Spaniel must meet the following appearance requirements:

Size :

• Height: Average 51 cm
• Weight: 4.1 - 6.8 kg
• Size: Small, well proportioned, sturdy and resilient
• Average lifespan: 12 - 15 years

Head & face :

• Head in proportion to body, top of head slightly arched, not flat
• Short muzzle, not broken, no wrinkles like Pug or Bulldog
• Oval eyes, not protruding, usually dark in color with darker rims, alert, intelligent gaze
• Ears of moderate length, hanging down on both sides, covered with soft, long hair, set high but not erect.
• Jet black nose, slight underbite

Body & legs :

• Strong neck, helps head hold high confidently
• Body slightly longer than height, deep chest, straight back
• Straight legs, neat feet, thick pads and especially between the toes there is thick, clear hair - a very interesting point.
• Long tail, curved back, soft and fluffy fur

Fur & color :

• The coat is of moderate length, soft and silky but not as close fitting as the Shih Tzu.
• The hair on the face and forelegs is shorter, but the hair on the neck mane and tail is longer (especially in males).
• Coat colors are diverse such as cream, reddish brown, white, yellow, mixed,...

⟹ Overall, Tibbies have a compact, well-proportioned appearance with an intelligent expression and exudes a calm demeanor - perfect for the role of "Buddhist monastery guardian".

What is the temperament of the Tibetan Spaniel?

The Tibetan Spaniel is independent and intelligent.

Not only outstanding with its cute appearance, Tibetan Spaniels (Tibbies) are also known for their independent, intelligent and affectionate personality. Find out more details below.

Smart and sophisticated

Tibbies are very intelligent dogs, quick learners, good observers and can also grasp human emotions. They also have the ability to understand the situation going on around them, true to the standard of a silent and alert "observer".

However, because of its intelligence and ability to think independently, this dog can sometimes be quite "stubborn", so you need to have a methodical training plan, avoiding coercion and mechanical training.

Loyalty and affection

Tibetan Spaniels are very loyal and affectionate to their loved ones, especially to those they trust the most. Although they are quite independent, they do not like to be ignored for too long and like to be close to their owners, to be cared for and played with. They can even come to comfort you when you are sad.

Good guard instinct

Despite their small size, Tibetan mastiffs have a strong guarding instinct and are always alert when strangers approach. Although they are not aggressive, they will always appear cold and reserved with strangers and need time to get used to them. In particular, they will not bark for no reason but only when there is a clear purpose.

Smart but not too active

Tibbies are a mischievous breed, especially when young, but rest assured that they will not be too hyperactive and will know how to choose the right time to play and play in moderation.

Because of their instinct to guard the monastery from above, they love to climb high places like window sills, tables, chairs, etc.

Child friendly, suitable for indoor use

Because of their friendly temperament and small size, Tibbies are perfect for keeping as pets in apartments and houses. They also know how to play with children and are never rough.

Notes when raising Tibetan Spaniel dogs

Standard guarding posture of a Tibetan Spaniel.

Here are some important notes when raising Tibetan dogs, helping them stay healthy, happy and develop well, let's find out now.

Meet spiritual needs

The Tibetan Spaniel is an intelligent and sensitive dog breed, so they need frequent interaction with humans. Avoid locking them up alone for too long, but spend more time playing, petting, walking or letting them observe the outside from above to help this dog be happier and more comfortable.

Maintain a balanced diet

Despite their small size, Tibbies can easily become overweight if you don’t eat the right diet. Here are some tips to help you:

• Fixed food portions
• Choose foods rich in protein, low in fat, high in fiber.
• Add digestive enzymes and vitamins to increase resistance.
• Avoid feeding leftovers, spicy foods, or too many snacks.
• If you don't have much time, you can use high quality dog food combined with steamed vegetables.

Moderate exercise

Tibbies are not very active dogs so they do not need too much exercise, just need to walk and play lightly every day to avoid obesity and have a more toned body.

In particular, there should be high spaces so that they can climb and observe according to their instincts.

Socialization & gentle training

As shared, Tibetan Spaniels are quite stubborn, so they will not be easy to obey if you do not have the right training methods. You need to note the following:

• Teach with positive methods, no yelling, no violence
• Early basic training with commands like stand up, sit down, don't bark,...
• Expose them to strangers, pets and strange sounds early to help them become more tame.

Brush and clean regularly

Although Tibbies have long, soft fur, they do not tangle as easily as other long-haired dogs. However, you need to note the following things to help keep their fur soft, smooth and looking its best.

• Brush 2 - 3 times/week
• No need to trim or shave unless hair is too long or tangled
• Bathe 1-2 times a month with specialized shampoo for long-haired dogs

Regular health care

Although the Tibetan Spaniel is a breed of dog with good resistance and rarely gets sick, if not properly cared for, they can suffer from some common diseases such as eye diseases, patellar luxation, retinal dysplasia (genetic disease),... Therefore, you need to be proactive in disease prevention.

And here are some optimal disease prevention measures:

• Regular health check-ups every 6 months or as advised by your veterinarian
• Regular eye check-ups
• Buy dogs from reputable breeders to ensure genetics and health.

Distinguishing between Tibetan Spaniel and Pekingese

Tibetan mastiff (left) and Pekingese (right).

Currently, many people still confuse Tibetan Spaniels and Pekingese dogs because both are small dogs from Asia, with long hair and short faces. Therefore, right below we will help you clearly distinguish these two dog breeds, let's find out now!

Tibetan Spanie price list

Currently, the price of Tibetan Spanie dogs in Vietnam and the international market fluctuates quite a lot, depending on origin, age, purity and appearance. You can refer to the price list of Tibbies dogs in Vietnam to get a more detailed price!

Beautiful Tibetan Spanie Dog Pictures

The collection of Tibetan dog photos below will definitely make your heart "fall" with the gentle, lovely but full of charisma beauty of these Tibetan monastic guard dogs, just you wait and see!

Tibetan mastiff puppy with super cute appearance.

A Tibetan Spaniel with long, silky fur and a slightly grumpy face.

Tibetan Spaniel puppies with happy, cute faces.

The Tibetan mastiff is walking gracefully.

A Tibetan Spaniel is sunbathing.

Through the article that dogbreed.wiki shared above, hopefully you have a better understanding of the Tibetan Spaniel, a small, cute, loyal dog breed with a high protective instinct. If it was previously a sacred dog associated with Buddhism in Tibet, now it will be a lovely and super friendly dog.

Goodbye and see you again in other articles of the Blog section to learn and discover more dog breeds in the world.